Confessions of a Doctoholic

An elderly patient spoke often about his son — how proud he was, how much he meant to him. But when it mattered most, the call never came. In this episode, Hafsa shares a story about expectation, family, and the moments that stay with you long after a shift ends. Have you ever realized that a relationship meant more to you… than it did to the other person?

A patient recovering from complex reconstructive surgery needed an unexpected treatment: medicinal leeches. But when one of them suddenly disappeared, the entire team found themselves in a situation no one expects during residency. In this episode, Hafsa shares one of the strangest — and funniest — moments from the hospital, and why medicine is sometimes far weirder than people imagine. If your do...

A patient with serious illness refuses treatment and leaves the hospital — only to return days later in a much worse condition. In this episode, Hafsa shares a real case about medical decision-making, patient autonomy, and what happens when people walk away from care.

After a car crash, a young patient does something completely unexpected — she runs into the snow and collapses in a stranger’s home. What follows is a trauma case involving major injuries, emergency surgery, and a recovery that raises more questions than answers. A story about how unpredictable trauma can be. Have you ever done something in a moment of shock or panic that didn’t make sense afterwa...

Not every doctor makes it through residency. In this episode, Hafsa shares the story of a trainee who struggled, resisted help, and ultimately didn’t continue in the program. A grounded look at accountability, mental health, and the stakes of residency.

A patient with advanced cancer develops sudden, severe bleeding in one of the most dangerous places possible. In this episode, Hafsa shares a case that highlights the complexity of modern medicine — where every option carries risk, and stopping the bleed could mean losing something else entirely.

A trauma patient with multiple injuries develops what initially looks like a simple hand issue — until it rapidly worsens. In this episode, Hafsa shares a case that started subtly but ended in a major decision: amputation. A story about recognizing patterns, trusting your instincts, and the reality of waiting in medicine.

Sometimes the patients who stay with you aren’t the most critical — they’re the ones you connect with. In this episode, Hafsa shares the story of a patient who spoke her language, reminded her of home, and changed how she thinks about care, presence, and compassion in medicine. Have you ever met someone who instantly reminded you of someone you love? Did it affect how you interacted with them?

A 30-year-old patient arrives after a stab wound — no pulse, ongoing CPR, and seconds to act. In this episode, Hafsa shares her first experience witnessing an emergency thoracotomy, one of the most extreme procedures in trauma care. A raw, real-time story of chaos, teamwork, and the limits of medicine.

In the middle of a long and exhausting night shift, something completely unexpected happened — a massage therapist walked onto the unit. In this episode, Hafsa shares a lighter story about burnout, small resets, and how even 10 minutes can change your entire mindset. When was the last time you took a real break without feeling guilty and what did you do?

In the ICU, not every moment is chaotic — some are quiet, slow, and final. In this episode, Hafsa shares the experience of standing at the bedside as a patient’s heart gradually stopped, and what it feels like to witness death in real time. A story about stillness, responsibility, and the moments medicine can’t change. What moment in your life made everything feel suddenly real?

A routine surgical procedure took an unexpected turn when a patient’s partner insisted on helping during the drainage of a painful abscess. In this episode, Hafsa shares a memorable story from surgical training that highlights the human side of medicine — where anatomy, anxiety, and relationships all collide in the exam room.

During her burn rotation, Hafsa encountered a rare and devastating skin reaction that initially looked like Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The patient, undergoing immunotherapy for advanced cancer, developed widespread skin loss that resembled severe burns. This episode explores the intersection of oncology, immunotherapy, and burn care — and the difficult trade-offs doctors sometimes face when treatme...

Burn surgery is unlike any other operating room experience. Between the heat, the smell, and the intensity of the procedures, it can push even experienced clinicians outside their comfort zones. In this episode, Hafsa shares her first experience scrubbing into a burn case — debridement, graft placement, and the moment she realized hydration before surgery might be more important than she thought.

Residency can make you question everything you know. But sometimes the right team changes everything. In this episode, Hafsa reflects on a stretch of night shifts where supportive leadership and collaboration reminded her that learning medicine is a team effort. A conversation about imposter syndrome, mentorship, and how culture shapes surgical training.

Not everyone gets the result they hoped for. This episode discusses the reality of not matching — and why it doesn’t define the kind of physician you become.

Match Day is one of the most emotional moments in medicine. A surgical resident reflects on what this day really means for the future doctors opening envelopes across the country.

A simple blood sugar reading nearly triggered unnecessary treatment — until a resident paused and asked a simple question.

After a short break to study for the ABSITE exam, Dr. Slaiman returns with stories from surgical residency, burn rotation, and a big life update.

needs What’s your biggest challenge when it comes to dating in medicine — time, energy, or finding someone who “gets it”?

Some days in medicine feel like three separate disasters packed into one shift. In this episode, Hafsa walks through a chaotic day that involved a heartbreaking ALS diagnosis, a patient trying to leave against medical advice, and a Code Violet that turned the hospital floor upside down.

This one has it all — airport security, organ containers, and transplant drama. You won’t believe how intense this got. 📢 What’s the most adrenaline-fueled moment you’ve had? DM me or drop it in my Q&A box.

My first open surgery was equal parts thrilling and terrifying. Also, someone may have tried to take a picture mid-case… 📢 First time scrubbing in — what surprised you most? Let’s talk OR etiquette.

This wasn’t just another GI case — it came with some extra spice. And when I say fetish... you’ll see. 📢 What’s one thing a patient’s said that made your jaw drop? Share it (anonymously) in my DMs @hafsaslaiman

Poop timers, rectal exams gone wrong, and some very unexpected confessions from patients. Let’s talk about what happens in the bathroom — medically, of course. 💬  What’s something you learned about your body in med school (or life) that totally surprised you? Drop your favourite bathroom related myth. DM me (anonymously is fine)